Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo & Ranching Rodeo Ranching Great Westerner Western Entertaiment & Arts Rodeo Producers & Livestock Special Achievement Cowboy Long Rider Legacy Award

Ranching

Andrew Johnston
2006 Pre - 1940 Ranching

.Andrew Johnston is noted for authoring the first two volumes of 50 Years in the Saddle and inventing the cattle guard.
  He was also instrumental in arranging brand inspections in the Dakotas, keeping detailed brand records that are still used today as historical mementos of the west.
  Born March 25, 1885, near Taylor, Andrew Johnston spent most of his life in North Dakota, starting his ranching career at age 12 when his father put him in charge of the family’s cattle herd near Taylor.
  He filed for his own homestead near Watford City at age 21. With partner August Jens, Andrew ran the Townsend Ranch on Wild Cow Creek for many years.
  With Nels Langdon, he operated the VVV Ranch at Alpha from 1937-1945 and then worked on an Arizona ranch for a few years.
  Back in North Dakota, Andrew opened the Western Trading Post, a ranch supply store and saddle shop in Dickinson, that he operated until it was destroyed by a 1966 fire.
  In early 1929, Andrew offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any cattle thief who had stolen cattle from him or a number of other cattlemen.
  The reward served as an impetus for the organization of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association later that year.
  Andrew was one of the founders of the NDSA and served as its first secretary/treasurer. He later served as the NDSA’s second president from 1939-1941. 
  He received a life-time membership in the NDSA in the early 1960s and was the first recipient of the “Top Hand Award.” Andrew was also a member of the American National Cattlemen’s Association for 55 years.